Paul Draper releases solo album ‘Spooky Actions’

Paul Draper releases his long awaited debut solo album, Spooky Action, on Kscope this summer. Hear the first track from the album – Don’t Poke The Bear:

Paul Draper was the frontman of Mansun – one of the most iconic bands of the late ’90s. Over the course of three albums (a fourth issued posthumously), they achieved something unique – after fostering a fervent cult following, they managed to maintain critical and commercial success with a series of intensely radio friendly yet increasingly experimental records. Off the back of their biggest radio record, Mansun imploded in 2003 and Paul all but disappeared from view.

Released on Kscope on August 11th, Spooky Action is the result of a decade of thinking, tinkering, writing, recording and focusing.

Lyrically, it’s biting and brutally honest – an autobiography set to captivating, addictive melody across eleven songs that peak then peak again, then peak again. Taking its cue from 2016’s two EP releases and recorded in collaboration with Catherine AD (the Anchoress) and long time Mansun collaborator PDub, The record’s eleven tracks veer from warped voodoo psych (Don’t Poke the Bear) to glistening synthetic soul (Things People Want); from warped, razor wire rock’n’roll (Grey House) to glorious widescreen analogue pop music (Jealousy Is A Powerful Emotion). Collectively, they represent Paul’s strongest, most consistent set of songs to date – half a lifetime’s work condensed into just over an hour of perfectly formed music.

Spooky Action tracklisting:

Don’t Poke The Bear

Grey House

Things People Want

Who’s Wearing The Trousers

Jealousy Is A Powerful Emotion

Friends Make The Worst Enemies

Feeling My Heart Run Slow

You Don’t Really Know Someone ‘Til You Fall Out With Them

Can’t Get Fairer Than That

Feel Like I Wanna Stay

The Inner Wheel

Pre-orders are now available on all formats here
(with digital pre-orders receiving “Don’t Poke The Bear” as an instant download)

Paul Draper plays a previously announced, sold out tour of the UK in September with a full live band that includes regular studio collaborator Catherine AD (the Anchoress). These are his first solo live dates. Paul will play at: